Nothing does more to focus attention on business continuity planning than a disaster. The March 11 earthquake in Japan is just the most recent in a series of catastrophic events to highlight the importance of the risk area known as continuation of operations. When combined with the financial pressures of the 2008 recession that changed many business models, our ideas about business continuation are being tested like never before. This report outlines how business continuity planning can save the day, and your company.